Page 32 of LeX

“LeX, are you feeling all right?Youlook like you’ve seen a ghost.Idon’t thinkI’veever seen you so pale.”

“You’rehere…”

“Iwould’ve been here sooner if you hadn’t let me sleep for so long.IfIdidn’t hear the little one crying,Iwould still be asleep.AndIhad the craziest dream, but remind me to tell you about it later.”

“Youheard her crying?”

“LeX, my love … we have spoken about this many times.Areyou sure you’re all right?Youknow the little ones always seem to reach out to me before they’re born.”

Aloud grunt coming fromViNturns all eyes back to him andIseeSoLpush him down as he fights against the pain his body is experiencing.Rylieinstantly starts issuing orders andIfind myself following each direction like we have done this a million times together before.

“SoL, hold him tight.I’mgoing to start maneuvering the youngling into position so we don’t accidentally cut her as we free her from this casing.ViN, this will be painful, butIam scared to give you anything until we have her out.OnceIhave her free,LeXwill administer something to help with the over stimulation on your side.”

Icringe when she touches the hard outer shell, expecting the heat to scald her fingers as she feels around the area, and relieved when she doesn’t appear to be hurt.

“SoL, it seems like you were right.Sheis out of room, the exo-womb won’t grow any larger, and she is done being cooped up in there.LeX,Ineed you to come here next to me; we are going to have to cut into this at the same time.”

ViNreaches out, grabbing her wrist gently. “Wait, is she too early?”

“No,ViN.Sheis more than ready to come into the world.Youjust focus on staying calm and let us do the rest.Thiswill happen quickly once we get the sack open.”

ThemomentIam next to her,Rylietakes my scalpel, showing me exactly where she wants me to cut. “Onthree, you need to cut along this line.I’mgoing to open this side.Ifthis works the wayIimagine, the cocoon will open on its own, allowing us to take her out unharmed.Youwill have to use quite a bit of force, thoughLeX.”

Noddingmy head,IwatchSoLget a good grip onViN, who suddenly seems to be holding his breath. “One, two … three.”Weboth run the sharp scalpels down the fine lines along the outer edge and just asIam almost at the bottom, the casing opens like a blooming flower asViNscreams out in pain.SoLsways slightly on his feet asRyliereaches in, carefully pulling the youngling out.Fora moment,Iam more concernedSoLis going to hit the floor than the pained sounds coming fromViN.Rylieholds the youngling gently whileIcut the umbilical cord and other links attaching her toViN.

“SoL,Ineed you to come here.LeX, go ahead and giveViNsomething for the pain, and we need to get that growth off his side before it closes back.”Forsuch a large male,SoLsure can move fast as he is suddenly towering overRylie’sslight form.

“Here,Ineed you to clean all this ‘stuff’ off her as quickly as you can.Don’tlook at me like you’re terrified, you’ve handled little ones more than most.Keidawas always in your arms; you can do this.”SoLdoesn’t say a thing, simply holds his arms out forRylieto place the youngling, and she disappears into his massive hands as he walks over to the areaDestinyhas set up for the care of the youngling.

Rylieturns back toViNwhose eyes have not left his youngling. “OkViN, we have to get this off you.Aslong as it’s attached to your side, it’s stealing your nutrients, and you are going to need all your energy for that little bundle of joy over there.”Themoment she says that the youngling lets out its first loud cry andIfeel tears form in my eyes.

ViNstarts to lift himself off the bed only to stop when my hand lands on his chest. “Sheis fine, there is not a safer child anywhere in the world at this moment.SoLknows better than evenIon how to clean her up and swaddle her.Let’sget this done so you can hold your daughter.”

WhileIhave hadViNdistracted,Ryliehas been making several small cuts along the edge of the shell, slowly pulling it loose as she goes.Asit starts to fall off,Islide a tray under it.Rylie’ssmall fingers work expertly as she cuts and sews each detachment as she goes.Finally, it releases, andIlift it and the tray out of the way.

Inthe meantime,Ican hearSoLsoftly talking to the youngling on the other side of the room.ThemomentRyliecloses up thelast bleeding tentacle,Iadminister a pain shot intoViN’ship, instantly seeing his body relax.

“ViN, your side is raw, butIam not sure what to administer for this type of wound.Iam hoping your natural healing qualities will kick in and take over, but if not, we will address it later this rising.”

“Frack, that sucked!Iwill never look at pregnant females the same way again.LordofLight, the constant discomfort, worry, and the pain was overwhelming.SoL, don’t make me get up,Iwant my daughter!”

“That’sright, show me that pretty smile.UnkaSoLhas lost his heart again!Youare too pretty to belong to grouchy over there.IthinkIwill just take you home with me.Wouldyou like that?Ican already see all the new toys you’re going to want in my mind.Waituntil you meet your cousinKeida, oh she will love you and your fiery little heart.”

“SoL!!!”

“I’mcoming, just talking to my girl over here.”Hecomes strolling over with a huge smile on his face, gently rocking the youngling that none of us can see because he is so tall.ViNholds out his arms, laying relaxed in the bed thanks to the medsIjust gave him.AsIwatch,SoLgently kisses her head before handing her over.

“Nowyou have to hold her head up and cup your arms like this.”

“SoL!”

“Iam not going to give her to you if you can’t hold her properly.”

Rylieactually covers her mouth to stop from laughing, andImust bite my lip asIwatch these two massive males bicker overthe proper way to hold a youngling.WhenViNfinally gets her settled to suitSoL, we all stand there watching as he uncovers her gently, looking her over.Countingall her fingers and toes as her large, blue eyes gaze around, more aware than a little one only born a few tics before should be.

Ryliebends down, stroking the top of her head gently. “ViN, we will give you a little time with her.Onceshe falls asleep, we’ll need to scan her to make sure she’s healthy and that we didn’t hurt her during that odd birthing.Doyou have a name picked out?”

“AmiLynn… that’s whatEmberwanted to call her and as long as my mate is happy,Ihave no objections.”Suddenly,ViNlooks up at me andIknow what he is going to ask.

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